Machine for serving and applying tape labels



Sept. 14, 1954 p, J, DEwYER MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE: LABELS Filed Dec. l2. 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 14, 1954 P. 1. DEWYER MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE LABELS 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo.

INVENToR. y, WM/

We@ BY W SePt- 14, 1954 P. J. DEWYER 2,689,056

MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE LABELS Sept. 14, 1954 P. J. DEWYER MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE LABELS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec.

JNVENToR. u1/ym Sept. 14, 1954 P. J. DEWYER 2,689,056

MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE LABELS Filed Dec. l2, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 A ffyim IN V EN TOR.

Sept. 14, 1954 P. J. Dl-:wYER 2,589,056

MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE LABELS Filed Dec. 12, 1951 's sheets-sheet s INVENTUR.

BY Winni/*Wm Sept. 14, 1954 P. J. Dl-:wYER 2,689,056

MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE LABELS Filed Dec. 12, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 SePt- 14, 1954 P. J. DEWYER 2,689,056

MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE LABELS Filed Dec. l2, 1951 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Sept. 14, 1954 MACHINE FOR SERVING AND APPLYING TAPE LABELS Peter J. Dewyer, Libertyville, Ill.

Application Dec-ember 12, 1951, Serial N o. 261,353

23 Claims., l

This invention relates to a new and improved machine for automatically serving, applying and wrapping tape labels to andaround an elongated object passing therethrough such, for example, as an insulated electrical conductor, a rope, a wire, a cable, a hose, etc. My present invention involves certain innovations and improvements over previous machines constructed for the same general purpose.

The machines of the present invention are particularly suited to apply tape labels to rubber insulated electrical conductors. A commercial use of the machine is for the application of socalled Underwriters Laboratories labels to rubber insulated electrical cords and conductors. However, the saine machine, adjusted or not as required, or another machine built on the same principle, may be used for applying tape labels to other elongated objects such as ropes, cables, clotheslines, rubber hose and tubing, and in fact to any similar object which may be coiled or reeled. While such objects usually are circular in cross-section, they may have other cross-sectional shapes, such as: triangular, square or oval.

The tape labels that may be applied by the machines oi this invention may be any one of 'the pressure-sensitive adhesive, water-activated, or heatactivated, types. These are three coinmercial types of tape now available and which-are commonly printed with labels of repeated design.

One important object of the invention is a new and improved labeling or tape applicating vmachine oi` the class described which includes a wheel of relatively large diameter over which the object to be labeled or taped is run so as to be supported on the periphery thereof, and which includes one or more tape or label serving and applicating units which operate automatically as the large wheel is revolved tcwithdraw a label or predetermined length of tape from a supply roll, sever the label or piece of tape of predetermined length from the end of the tape, apply the severed label or piece of tape to the elongated object passing through the machine, and wrap the opposite ends of the label or piece of tape on or around the object. n

A further objectof the invention is a'tape applicating or labeling machine of the class de-y scribed including avsupport wheel for' the object to be taped or labeled which is of relatively large diameter and supports one or more tape serving and applicating units, with the machine being operated by pulling the object to be taped, such as an insulated electrical conductor,through` the machine and :which ywheel is automatically braked to a standstill whenever there is an interruption or'appreciable slackening in the tension on the object being drawn through the machine.

Another important object of the invention is a novel rotatable tape holder and wrapper to which a vacuum is applied and which is adapted to rotate in increments and operates to withdraw predetermined lengths of tape from a supply roll, sever the lengths from the end of the tape in cooperation with a cutting device, apply the 4severed lengths to the-elongated object or article to be labeled and wrap the free ends of each severed piece around the article, this series of operations being performed cyclically.

Aiurther object of the invention is a new and improved methodoi applying tape labels from a supply roll onto an elongated article such as an insulated electrical conductor wherein labels are successively severed from the end of the tape and the Vmiddle portion of each label is brought into alignment with the proper portion of the elongated article with the sticky side theretowards,

vsupporting the label on opposite ends but not at the middle portion, bringing the label supported in this ymanner and the article together so that the unsupported middle portion of the label engages the article and results in the label ends being pulled off their supports, and wrapping the unsupported label ends around the article while `pressing the middle portion against the article.

h1 this method it is preferred to use suction in releasably supporting the label ends.

In addition to the foregoing objects there are certain other and additional objects which will, inpart,be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter and be comprehended in the appended claims.

'For a more complete understanding oi the 11aytureand scopeof-the invention, reference may Fig. 2-is a sideelevational view of the opposite side of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 `isa fragmentary sectional detail view on enlarged scale, `taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1,

certain parts being broken away and certain parts being shownA in plan;

Fig. Ilisa verticalsectional View taken on line vll--A 0f Fig. 3;

fFig. 5 is a fragmentaryside elevational View on enlarged scale, partly in vertical section with certain parts being broken away and other parts being removed, showing one of the tape serving and applicating units as viewed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary top plan view taken on line 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View of the rotatable tape holder and wrapper taken online 1 1 of enlarged scale showing one of the tape serving and applicator units as viewed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken generally on'.

line Illl0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on line lI-Il of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is a detail view taken on line I2-i2 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a detail view taken on line I`3-l3 of l Fig. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary View taken on line lill5 of Fig. 2 showing the details of a tape cutting roller and one of the rotatable tape holders and wrappers as it passes the cutting roller;

Fig. 20 is a detail View taken on line 20-20 of Fig. 19; and

Figs. 2l, 22 and 23 are fragmentary diagrammatic views illustrating the manner in which the i `rotatable tape holders and wrappers operate.

`Referring initially to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the frame of the machine includes a pair of end castings 5 and 6 having integrally formed feet and the pair being interconnected adjacent the bottom of the machine by a horizontal platform l. At the top of the frame along one side a rather heavy channel member 8 extends between the upper ends of the castings 5 and 6,

this channel member serving as the support for a wheel l5 of relatively large diameter which carries the tape serving and applicating units and associated operating structure. In addition, a guard rail Il (Fig. 1) extends between the upper ends of the castings 5 and 6 on the opposite side of the wheel Ml from the channel 8.

3 This guard rail ll, which may be in the form of l a length of pipe, may be omitted where it is not required for safety.

The wheel IU may be in the form of an aluminum casting having integrally formed bracing spokes {2-12 on one side with the sectors between the spokes I2 being filled by integral webs l3--l3. The Wheel Ill has an integrally formed ject which is to be labeled or taped.

The wheel I 0 has a hollow hub structure whereby a vacuum or suction may be transmitted from one side of the wheel to the other side through the hub. This hub structure is shown l in detail in Fig. 3. The ,wheel or disk I0 is supported from the channel beam 8 by means of a stub shaft I6 which has a flange or plate Il integrally formed therewith so that it may be bolted on the inside of the beam 3 as shown in Fig. 3.

A plurality of stud bolts lf3-I3 arranged around an opening 2U in the channel 8 serves to secure the flange i1 and the stub shaft l5 in place. The stub shaft l5 is hollow as indicated by the broken line in Fig. 3 and has a nipple 2l integrally formed therewith which projects through the opening 2B. An adapter 22 attached to one end of a flexible hose 23 is screwed into thisnipple 2l so as to form an airtight connection therewith. I The stub shaft I5 is machined so as to have sections 24 and 25 which carry the inner races of a pair of ball bearings 25-25. One of the ball bearings 26 is retained in place between a shoulder 21 formed on the shaft l5 and an internal shoulder 28 formed on the interior of the hub 30 of the wheel Hl. The second bearing 25 is retained in place between another internal shoulder 3| formed in the hollow hub 35 and a cap 32 which is secured on the projecting end of the hub I6 by means of screws 33-39.

The hollow hub 30`has a flange 33 integrally l formed on. one end thereof to which the wheel disk l0 may be secured by a plurality of bolts 34-34. These bolts 34 extend through the flange 33 and the wheel lil and then through a cover plate 35, as shown. The plate 35 is spaced a small distance from the flange 33 and covers up a central opening 36 in the wheel disk l5. A T-tting 31 is screwed into a threaded opening which is tapped into the center of the plate 35. Adapters 38-38 attached to the ends of flexible hoses '4U-40 are screwed into the opposite ends of the cross section of the T 3l.

The bearings 25 prevent all but a slight leakage or loss of vacuum between the interior of the wheel hub 30 and the exterior of the stub shaft l5. If desired, a vacuum seal il may be slipped over the stub shaft I6 in between one of the bearings 26 and the small end of the hub 35 as shown so as to still further seal the connection between the rotating hub 35 and the stationary shaft I6.

The wheel hub 30 has a brake drum 52 integrally formed thereon for cooperation with the shoes of a centrifugal type brake. The upper shoe of the brake is indicated at 53 in Fig. 4 while the lower shoe is indicated at M. The lower` section or half is pivotally supported or connected at one end on a pin or bolt i5 which v extends through a sleeve 46 formed on the brake rim I4 which is grooved as indicated at I5 in Figs. 5 and 6 for receiving and guiding an insulated electrical conductor or other similar obshoe and screws into a block 41 carried on the inside of the channel beam 8. The opposite end of the brake shoe M islinked or coupled to the opposing end of the upper shoe d3 by means of a bolt 48 extending through ears 5i] and 5l integrally formed on the bottom and upper brake shoes, respectively. A compression spring 52 is inserted between the ears and 5i so as to spread these opposing ends of the shoes apart. The swinging end of the lower brake shoe 45 is supported by a rest or shelf 53 carried onA one .side of an angle member 54 which forms part of the machine frame. The shelf or rest 53 is positioned so as to be engaged by the head of the bolt 48 when the brake shoes 43 and 45 are released or olf The end of the upper brake shoe 43 opposite from the integral ear 5| is provided with an integrally formed bracket 55 having a horizontal .shelf `portionx56 apertured in gthe lmiddle Vto receive one end of a link `5l inthe, form .of afbolt Vwith the. threaded-end thereof passingthrough the shelf 56 and secured thereto,ongoppositesides by means of -nuts :5S-958. The bottom, end of the link 5l is provided witha sleevell (Fig. 3) fitting in between forks'lI-lll integrally formed on the end of a .lever r`t2. IA pin :63. extends through the sleeve and the 4forkstl soV as to interconnect these parts.

The lever 62 is pivoted or fulcrumed adjacent its inner end on-a pin orbolt'fl Vwhich'extenols through an aperture in theilever 62 and into the block I4l. A spacer sleeve 65 separates ther lever 62 from the block .41 ,and vholds it incorrect alignment.

The lever'62 is pivotally connected at its outer end by means of apin 66 toga linki'lwhich is ,pivotally connected at-itsupper end bygneans of a pin 58 to a lever .10 which is fulcrumed intermediate its ends on a pin 'H projecting from an upstanding bracket 12 .supported from a plate 73 mounted on the machine frame. A pulley wheel 14 is also mounted on the pin-or shaft 'H and a second pulley wheel 150i` the same `size is mounted on the free endof the lever 10. It will be seen that the pulley wheel 'l5 is. swingable with the lever 10. The ypulley wheel 'l5 is normally biased in a downward direction by means of a tension spring 1E interconnected between a stationary support 'l1 on the bracket l2 and the lever 'Ill at a point outwardly of the pin 1I. The object being handled by the machine such as insulated electrical cords passes over the pulley 14 and under the pulley 15 as shown. Apair of fixed guide pulleys 18-'18 are suitably supported from the frame structure through which the electrical conductor passes 4before it reaches the pulley ld. Normally theelectrical conductor or the object after it leaves the pulley 'l5 goes to a Windup reel which serves to apply a tension to the cord and draw it through the labeling machine as will be ldescribed in detail hereinafter. It will be seen that the tension on the conductor lifts the pulley 'I5 against thev tension `of the spring 16 thereby depressing the link Tl and the outer end of the lever 62 so that the inner end of this lever, whichis connected to the link 51, is raised thereby lifting the upper brake shoe 43. raised, the spring 52 separatesthe ears 5t and 5l and both of the brake shoes are completely separated from the brake drum 42, the connecting bolt 48 being supported and resting on the shelf 53.

Should the tension of the conductor cord or object be relieved, the tension spring 16 will lower the pulley and willthereby raise the outervend ofthe lever 62 which results in a lowering of the link 5l so as to pull the upper brake shoe 43 down onto the brake drum 42. The lowering or closing movement of the shoe .43 is sufficient to lift the ear 5l and thereby pullup theopposing ear 50 so that both brake shoesclamp onto the brake drum 42, this clamping action being enhanced by centrifugal force. The braking action which may thus be obtained with this arrangement is such that even with a wheel I8 having ra diameter of approximately .threefeet and rotating at a speed of forty R. l?. M., the wheel is braked to a stop instantlyupon the release of tension on the wire being labeled. It will be understood that other types of brakes and braking arrangements may be-used which are-capable of providing adequate ,Y braking action As this upper brake shoe is i o through opposing grooves formed rvin a bottom member 84 mounted on the. shelf 8| and anupper member 85 which is yieldably Apressed `down kon the conductor by a spring :86.

The suction for holding thenon-.tackysorinonsticky side ofthe tape or` labels ontotherotatable tape holders and wrappers is .supplied from a vacuum pump 8l mountedon the frameplatform 'I and driven by `an lelectric motor '188 .bymeans of a drive belt 9U. is connected by an adapter19l. tothesuctionfconnection of the pump .81. Preferably, thepump is equipped with -a relief valve 92 ywhich `opens if the suction drops ,below a minimumset value. It will be seen that.y the suction is transmitted through the stationary hose 23 tothe hub struc ture of the wheel ID where it passesthrough the stationary hollow stubshaft I6` and into the T fitting 3l from whichqthe vacuum l:istransmitted to the tape serving units through the iiexible hose connections All. The -T `fitting 871 and the hose connections 4|) rotatezaspart of wheel assembly.

The machine hastwoctape serving and applicating units, which are mounted on the wheel lil at diametrically opposed locations. in this connection, it willbeunderstood that the machine could operate .with only one tape `serving and applicating unit. or it could yhave more thantwo 4of them, the-number depending upon thedesign of any particular machine. .If there is more than one tape ,serving 4andapplicating unit, it will ordinarily be desirable to have `them symmetrically positioned or spaced on-'the rotating `wheel although such a requirement is nctessential. "It will be further understood .that .while a machine may be adapted to carry two or more tape serving and applicating units, it is possible to operate such a machine by removing any number of these units so long as oneis left in operation. In this connection, it will be apparent that thespacing of labels-on the object pulled through` the machine will depend upon the `distancebetween the serving and applicating units.

Normally, each of. the tape -serving .and rapplicatingl units will be of the same type and design and will serve andapply the samervkind of tape or label. However, if desired, diiferent types of serving and applicating `units may be used and different kinds or types of tapezor labels may be handled.

In the machine shown lin Figs. l .and 2 there are two serving and applicating units which are indicated generally by the reference numeral 52. Each of these units is mounted in a radially eX- tending slot opening V93 formed inthe wheel l. The sides of these openings 93 arereinforced as indicated at 94-94, these reinforcements serving as guides for sliding `blocksM95--95 ongwhich the moving parts of the serving-and vappli-eating units 92 are mounted. `Each of ther-,blocks95 is grooved along the opposite edges `sogas'i'.o -pro 4vide flanges y99E-99 whichiitover theyreinforce ments, theseinterttine parts being. machined The exible suctiony hose `23 sothata smooth but accurateJsliding action of the blocks 95. is obtained.4 Y

At their inner ends adjacent the bases of the respective slots, each pair of the side'reinforcevmerits 94 mergeinto an integral portion 86 of the wheel which extends inwardly to the wheel hub. In the base or bottom of each of the openings 93 a stop bolt 91 isv provided which is screwed into the thickened portion 99. Each or" the stop bolts 9'I has a rather heavy head and is adjustably locked in place by means of a lock Figs. and 8. Each of the wire hooks |0| is suspended at the bite from a bolt |02 (Fig. 8) which is screwed into the base of the blocks 95 and is locked in place by means of a setv screw |83 as shown in Fig. 8. At their inner ends, each of the springs |00 is hooked over a pin |03 (Fig. l) which projects from the side of the cover plate 35 cf the hub structure.

Each of the sliding blocks 95 is controllably operated in opposition to the tension applied thereto by the springs |00 by acam and cam follower mechanism. Thus, each of the sliding blocks 95 is provided with a cam follower roller |05 (Figs. 8 and 9) which is supported by a bolt |05 which extends through the block 95. Each of the bolts |06 is provided on the cam track side of the wheel I0 with an eccentric |01 which may be rotatably adjusted on 'the bolt |08 and'secured in place thereon by means of a set screw |08. Each of the rollers |05 nts o-ver a hub projecting from the side of the adjacent eccentric |01 and is secured thereon by means of a bolt ||0 and a washer ||I. This arrangement permits an accurate adjustment of each of the cam followers |05 onto a stationary cam track ||2.

The cam rollers or followers |05 run on the continuous cam track indicated generally at I2, the fulloutline of which is shown in Fig. 2. The cam track |I2 may be formed of a strip of steel and is supported on framing indicated at |09. :fe-

The construction and outline of the cam track I I2 will be described more fully below in connec tion with the mode of operation of the machined Each of the `tape serving and applicating units 92 includes a rotatable tape holder and Wrapper indicated generally at ||3 which is mounted for rotation in a recess or opening Ill formed in the outer end of each one of the slide blocks 95. 1t will be seen that these openings |||l extend through the blocks 95 in a direction normal to the plane of the large wheel I0 and that each of the tape holders and wrappers ||3 rotates about an axis which is parallel to the-plane of the large wheel I0.

Each of the tape holder and wrapper devices I I3 includes a stationary hub I5 which is mounted on a hollow stem or tube I I6 which spans the opposite sides of the opening IIII and is supported in apertures provided therefor in the forks II'l--I as shown in Fig. 5. Each of the hollow tubes or stems I I6 is provided with an adapter ||8 which receives the coupling or adapter |20 fastened on the end of the suction hose 40 ad jacent thereto. A set screw I I9 locks each of the adapters I|8 in place in the block 95. The censpaanse tral hole in `vthe 'stem II6 does not extend completely therethrough from end to end but terminates as shown in Fig. 5. The stationary hub I5 has a new moon shaped-suction groove I2| cut partway therearound as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. This suction groove I2I has a rectangular cross section as shown in Fig. 5 and, as viewed in Fig. 8, has a. new moon configuration which extends somewhatrover half the periphery of the hub I I 5. The hub I I5 is also provided with three radially extending suction ports I22-|22, the outer ends of which open into the suction groove or chamber 52| and the inner ends of which open into central opening in the hollow stem I I5 which is cut awayas shown in Fig. 8.

A rotatable ring member |23 fits over the hub II5. The ring Y|23 may be machined from a single piece of stock or it may be made in -sections suitably locked together. The ring |23 includes an inner circumferential portion |25 which nts accurately over the hub |2| and which is locked in place thereon between a nange |25 (Fig. 5) integrally formed as part of the hub H5 and a retaining ring |26 which is secured to the hub ||5 by means of three locking screws ITI-|21 which t inholes which are tapped partly in the locking ring |25 and partly in the hub |I5, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. The retaining ring |25 has a wire receiving groove |28 formed therein which is aligned with the groove |5 in the periphery of the wheel I0.

A plurality of equally spaced elongated window openings I30|30 are formed in the ring |23 around the inner section |24 as shown in Figs. 5 and 8. Slot-shaped openings ISI-43| are cut in the outer cylindrical face of the ring |23 so as to provide a central opening into each of the elongated window openings |30 whereby the insulated electrical conductor or other similar object being labeled by the machine may enter down into the respective elongated openings 30 as they are brought up into alignment with the groove E28. A small resilient button |32 formed of rubber or a similar material may be provided foreach of the openings |38 and centrally positioned therein underneath the entry slot |3I. These resilient buttons |32 provide a iiexible pad support for the electrical conductor or other object as it lies in one of the window openings |30 and contributes advantages to the operation of the machine which will be referred to below.

The tape or labels being applied by the machine are supported on the outer face of the ring |23 and are held thereon by suction. Accordingly, the ring |23 is provided with radially extending suction ports I33| 33 which are positioned so as to extend through the partition separating the adjacent ends of the elongated openings |30 as shown in Fig. 8. Each of the suction ports |33 branches out adjacent its outer end into branches i3d-|35. Sufficient space is left between the cuter ends of each pair of openings l3nt-|34 so that the tape may be severed between these openings. lt will be seen that suction is communicated by each of said flexible hose connections 00 to one of the rotatable tape holders and Wrappers I I3 with the suction following a path which includes: the central opening in the pin IIS; the suction ports |22 in the xed hub H5; the suction chamber |2I; and, the suction portsy |33 in the ring |23 including the branches |34 thereof. Referring to Fig. 8 it Will be noted that suction is applied through only those ports |33 which at any particular time open into the new moon shaped suction chamber |2I. I The remaining suction ports |33 in the ring |23 are temporarily closed oi from the suction as they pass around that portion of the hub I |which is not grooved.

The rotatable ring |23 is turned in a clockwise movement as viewed from Fig. 8, this rotation being in an interrupted or increment typey of movement with each increment ofv movement being just suicient to withdraw an additional label or predetermined length of tape and at the same time to serve up .into applicating position'a label or length of tape which has already' been out.

This periodic advance of the ring |23v is secured which positions the dog |35 away from the face of the wheel. A spring |33 is compressed against the outer side of the feeder dog |35 so as to yieldably urge it against the shoulder |31; The open'- ing |50 in the dog |35 ts over the pin |35'with a sloppy iit, thereby allowing the dog |35 not only to turn freely but also to tilty on the pin |36 without binding. The dog |35 isprevented from ro'- tating clockwise as viewed in Fig. 9 by a stop pin |4| extending from the wheel I0 so as to engageY the rear side ofthe vertical leg of the dog. The outer end of each spring |35is anchored in the pin |35 while the inner end is fastened on thedog |35 so that the springs |33 continually press-the dogs |35 against the stop pins |4|. It will be seen that each time one of the tape serving and applieating units 92 is lowered or moved in towards the hub of the wheel l5 under control of the cam' and cam follower arrangement th'e feedingdog |35 will rotate or advance the ring |23 by one increment. In this connection, it will benote'd from Fig. that the feeding dog |35is so located that when each holder and wrapper |31is in its outermost position the finger |371 will engage in the particular slot opening |3| which is next below the horizontal plane throughY th'e center of the holder and Wrapper ||3. Ontlie opposite` side of the tape holder andwrapper ||3` from the feeder dog |35, a stopdog |42 is'provided` in order to prevent the ring 23=of the holder and wrapper I3 from reversing direction when the slide @50h which it is supported moves outwardly to the rim of the wheel 0. is mounted en the adjacent slide S51-so that it remains in contact with the ring |23'atl all times. The dog |42 has an eye Idd-by which it is pivoted on a pin dit-carried on the face of the slide 05y A mousetrap spring' by a bracket |45 (Fig. 13). d5 is anchored at one end to the pin |44 and the other end is fastened to the dog |42`so as to press the same against the ring |23 sothat the dog can ride from one slot |3| to'thenext as the'ring |23 is indexed.

In addition to the stop dog |42 which serves to lock the rotating ring |23 againstreverse rotation each time it is indexed forwardly, another stop dog |50 is provided (Figs. 5 and 6) which is mounted on the opposite side of the wheel' I0 from the side on which the feeding dog`|35 and the stop dog |52 are mounted. This stop dog |50 is arranged to engage in one of theslot open'- ings |3| in the ring |23 only when the supporting slide 95 is infor approximately in, its outermost position. The nger of the stop dog |50 engages the trailing edge of each slot |3| which is indexed thereunder so that when the tape holder and wrapper ||3 is in its outermost position, the ring |23 willbe locked against reverse rotation by the dog |42 and at the same time will be locked against forward rotation by the stop dog |50. The stop dog |50 has at its rear an enlarged plate portion |5| which is supported on a block |52 by means of a bolt |49 carrying a spring |54 which is compressed between the head of the bolt and the plate |5| as shown in Fig. 6. The block is fastened on the side of the wheel I0. The hole in the portion |5| has a sloppy t on the bolt |40 and the spring |54 allows the dog |50 to tilt outmits the plate |53 to tilt rearwardly from the top a small amount to allow for a slight lifting of the dog |55 when the adjacent holder and wrapper ||3 reaChes'its outermost position. The

springs |54 and i5? permit the locking dog |50' toV lift up and tilt out so as to easily engage and then disengage from the respective slots |3| each time the adjacent tape holder and wrapper H3 is raised and lowered.

In order to wrap the projecting ends of a label or length of tape around an electrical conductor or other object after it has received the severed label from one of the rotatable tape holders and wrappers ||3, provision is made to move or shift the electrical' conductor or other similar object rst to one side and then to the other side of the elongated window opening |30 in which the insulated conductor or other article lies.

tionary hub structure I5 and retaining ring |25 which is locked thereto first to one'side and then to the other, while the rotatable ring |23 is held stationary. The means for accomplishing this rocking or oscillating action of the hub structure includes a crank arm |58 having an' integrally formed eye |59 on the upper end thereof by which it is pivotally connected to the face of the hub 5 by a screw |50. The bottom end of the crank arm |58 has an integrally formed eye 5| which is turned at right angles to the eye |59. A bolt |62 pivotally connects the bottom end of the crank |53 to a rocker arm |53. The rocker arm |63 is supported from the' adjacent slide member by means of a bracket |64 integrally formed on the adjacent slide 95. The rocker arm |53 is pivotally connected to the bracket |54`by means of a screw or bolt |55'witha compression spring |63 being compressed between the head of the bolt |65 and the face of the rocker arm |53. The spring |66 serves to press the rocker arm |53 -against a spacer |60 tting on the bolt |65 between' the arm |53 and the bracket |54 so that the rocker arm |63 Will not rock or turn unless it is caused to do so bythe application vof Such` ,shifting'is obtained by rocking' the normally stawith the bottoms of the rollers when the arm- I 63 is level being spaced above the bottom of the main cam follower roller so that the leveling rollers |51 and |58 do not ordinarily engage the main cam track ||2 unless the rocker arm |03 is tilted in one direction or the other. It will be seen from looking at Figs. 9 and 10 that when the rocker arm |83 is rocked, the crank arm |58 will rotate the normally stationary hub ||5 and retaining ring |26 of the serving head in opposite directions depending upon which direction the rocker arm |53 is turned from the level position. In this level position the groove |23 in the retainer ring |28 will be positioned and accurately aligned in registration with the groove l5 in the wheel I0.

The leveling rollers |51 and |58 cooperate with leveling cams |10 and |1| and a wrapping cam |12 each of which is added to the cam track l i2.

The upper leveling cam |10 serves to center the notch or groove |28 just prior to the point in operation when the insulated conductor or other object being labeled leaves the wheel l0, while the lower leveling cam |1| levels the rocker arm |53 and centers the groove |28 at a point just prior to where the unlabeled lelectrical conductor enters the rim of the wheel I0. As will be explained in greater detail below, the wrapping cam |12 serves to rock the h ub 5 and retaining ring |28 in opposite directions so `as to wrap the free ends of a severed label or length of tape tothe electrical conductor or other object after the tape or label has vbeen initially applied to the conductor or other object.

` The tape T (Figs. 8 and 18) which is supplied to each of the rotatable tape holders and wrappers i3 is withdrawn from a supply roll |13 which is supported on a reel indicatedgenerally at |15 and comprising one reel part |15 having a flange `|13 and provided with a central opening so as to enable it to i'lt over a supporting bolt |11.

The bolt |11 is in turn supported on the outer end of a bracket arm |18 which is attached to the side of the slide 35 by means of an angle member |80. The bolt |11 is retained in place by a pair of nuts |8||8| which permit longitudinal shifting or adjustment of the bolt |11. The reel part |15 rotates against a positioning nut |82. rl'Jhis particular arrangement provides for convenient alignment and adjustment to permit tapes I of various widths to be handled.

` The tape roll retaining flange |16 is opposed on the opposite side of the roll tape by a removable reel member having a tape retaining ange |83 and a sleeve section |83 which fits over a sleeve section |85 integrally formed as part of the reel section |15. The lbolt |11 extends into the sleeve |85 and the bolt head |86 serves to retain a compression spring |81 which presses against the reel section |15 and holds it against the positioning nut |82. The removable reel part |83 has a second .flange at the other end thereof which supports a spanning bar which is adapted to t into bayonet slots |9||0| formed in the outer end of the sleeve member |85 thereby locking the reel part |83 thereon. A coil spring |02 is compressed between the flange |88 and the flange |83 thereby keeping the latter pressed against the side of the tape roll |13.

.The detachable reel part is removedY by pressing in on a flange |88 formed on the sleeve |83 and rotating the locking bar |90 carried thereon so as to release it from the bayonet locking slots formed in the end of the sleeve |85. able iiange |84 is retained from slipping off the l2 end of the sleeve |83 by a garter clip |93. The end of the sleeve |83 and the retaining garter clip |83 are seated in a recess |86 formed in the side of the reel member |15.

The tape T passes from the reel holder over a guide roller |05 (Fig. 8) supported on a bracket |96 fastened to the side of the adjacent slide member 95. The roller |85 rotates on a supporting pin |81 projecting from the side oi the bracket |816. The pin |91 also supports a swingable arm |98 on the outer end of which is supported a pressure roller 200, which presses the tape 'I' against a feed roller indicated generally at 20|. A tension spring 202 having one end attached to the arm |28 and the other attached to the bracket |06 holds the roller 200 against the tape 'I'. The roll 20| is a soaker type roll which is used when the tape T being handled is of the water activated type and requires moistening. The roll 20| therefore comprises a hollow cylinder 203 having a hollow axle 200 extending therethrough lwhich projects on one side of the cylinder 283 and is threaded so as to receive a nut 285. An axle 285 extends through the sleeve or housing 204 and the ends thereof project through bracketl arms 201--201 integrally formed as part of a bracket 208 which is bolted to the adjacent slide 95.

The cylinder 203 is made up from two halves one of which has the stem 203 integrally formed as a part thereof. These two cylinder halves are drawn and held together by the nut 255 and have clamped therebetween a wick structure. This wick structure includes a pair of end disks 2 0 2 0 which preferably are dish-shaped. Each of the disks 2|0 is perforated so as to have an inner circle of holes 2| |2| and an outer circle of holes comprised of large holes 2i2 and small holes 2|3. The holes permit water Within the cylinder 203 to soak into the wick structure which l is composed of disks 2|4 formed of wicking or packing material separated by screens 2|5-2|5.

n wick structure thereby moistening the tape with the liquid which is inside the cylinder. The water or other wetting liquid is introduced into the cylinder through a filling hole which is provided with a filling plug 2|8.

The cylinder 203 also serves to feed the tape to the associated tape holder and wrapper H3.

' Accordingly, one of the halves of the cylinder 203 is machined so as to form a ratchet wheel 228 on one end with the ratchet teeth b-eing indicated at 22|. The teeth 22| are engaged by a pawl 222 (Fig. 8) pivotally mounted on the outer end of aperture so as to t over the shaft 288. A tension spring 221 (Fig. 8) is connected to the pawl 222 and the link 226 so as to press the end of the pawl 222against the ratchet wheel 220. Reversal ofthe-cylinder 203- isprevented by meansof a stop dog.- 228pivotally mountedzby a pin'229y (Fig.

5) on the slide- 95A underneath the bracket 208V and pressed upwardly into the. ratchet by means of a compressionspring 2130 (Fig. 8) one end of which fits in a recess provided in the dog 228 and the'other enclof which presses against the bracket 23| fastened to the slide 95 by the screws 232 asv shown in Fig. 5.

It will be seen that the-interconnected links 223 and 226 have ay hinge' action since the bottom end of the link 223 is-pivoted to the stationary angle member |80 while the upper end of the linky 226 is connected'to'the shaft 286 which moves up and down (as viewed in Fig. 8) along with the slide 95; Accordingly, as the slide'95' moves out toward the'frim of the wheel Illv and the cylinder 283 movestherewith, the links 223 and 226 tend to straighten out and the end of the dog` 222 passes Adown-underneath the next succeeding ratchet notch 22|. in toward thehub of the'wheel and the links 225 and`223=tend to close; itfwill be seen' that the dog 222'will rotatethe cylinder. 203 one increment and thereby withdraw the'tape from the holder'sufflcientlyto accommodate 'the increment in rotation of the feeding cylinder 203,

The arrangement for-cutting or severingl thc tape into lab-el lengthsas it is held onv the rotatiable holders and'wrappers |13 isshown in Figs. 19r and' 20. A bracket 233 is welded to the inside of the channelbeam 8fand a tape cutter 'wheel 234 is mounted on a swingingarm235 by means of a pin 236 on which itis freev to rotate; The arm 235 yis supported at its upper end on' a pin 23T projecting from the bracket 233.? The bottom end of the arm 235 is flattened andturned at right angles to the upper end thereof and has an opening therein for receiving a guide bolt 238. This bolt is adjustable and the headA 240 thereof limits the rotation of the lever 235`toward the rotating Wheel mand the rings |23 of the tape holders and wrappers H3. A compression spring 24| is retained between the lower end of the arm 235 and the-small4 supporting bracket 242 mounted on the side of the larger bracket 233. This spring 24| serves'to yieldably compress the lower end of the arm 235-against the bolt head 240; This arrangement permits adjustment to be matie from-time to time so that satisfactory tape cutting f' and severing action will be obtainedwhen the suction heads are carried past the cutting Wheel 234 on each rotation of the large wheel Ill; The cutting wheel rotates as the resultof frictional engagement with thetape. y

Desirably awiper arrangement is provided for wiping adhesive'from thecutting wheel 234as it rotates. This wheel picksup a certain amount of adhesive since it cuts through the sticky side of the tape. One suitable wiper arrangement comprises an angle bracket 243 mounted on the side of the larger bracket 233 and carrying a block of felt or other wiping'material 244 through which the wheel 234 rotates.

Theh operation The machine is put in operation by placingthe'* spools of tape |43ion' the respective holders'of the two `serving and applicating units 92. The end of the tape on each spool is pulledl out sufficiently so that it can'be threaded: over the guide roller |95; in between the pressure'roller 26E!v and the feeding' roller 23| with the sticky side of thetape running against this roller; and, then 'the free end-of the tape is applied to the When the slot 35 retracts '14 adjacent?tape'- holder and; wrapper'.` H3:` They motor 88 will already: haveY been'turned onso: that' 1the ,vacuum pump 81 is operating and-suction` is being appliedftoy the: tapel holder" andH wrapperA |f|3and to each pair-of the suction holes |34 in the rotating ringv |23.y which are served from ay suction port |33-opening=into1the new moonshapedsuction cavity |2|. The suction applied tothe-rv openings |34cwill be Vsufficient to hold the :smoothsid'e of the tape onto the'face` of th'ering` |23.r

Thev insulated: electricalk conductor or other" similar object to` bek labeled by the machineis withdrawn from the supply' reel and threaded under and' around the. large' wheel I0 in the groove llin therim-.thereofi and then th'eend is` passed fromfthetop. of the wheel in between the guide rollers IS- 73, over theapulleyl'll'and under pulley l5, and-then. to'rthe wind-up reel. The machine is now ready for operation and' when the -Vwind-up reel isI started and'operating. tension is thereby 'applied lto the` insulated. con'- ductor,i.the labeling machine will commencek to operate. This tension operates to release the brake mechanism for'the large wheel |0so that it is free to rotate;y Itwill be obvious: that the speed yof rotation'of' the wheel |Uwil12be-.depend"' ent upony how fast the wind-up reel draws thev conductor throughthelabelingv machines; In one embodiment where the wheel lhas a diamL eter of approximately three feet, the conductor cable being labeled' can'be' pulled-through the machine at such ai rate4 whereat the wheel lil'l rotates up to' speedsof fortyI revolutions per minute.

Each of the i twov tape .serving and applicating" units 32 goes "through onecycleof operation during each revolution of the wheel'l. Theoperation of one'of these'tape'serving andapplicatingA units` 32l will be describedA commencing at the bottomA of itsy circuit where the electricall conducitor from the supply-wheel h'as'vjus't'ipassedv into the groove' |28in the lockinglring` |26iand'down' into' the elongated slot-VV 38 lin therotating ring I |23-which is in line Withthegroove |285 It will' beseen that' when theelectricaLcon-ductor passes into'fthese recesses itrst ofi all engagesA thev severed length of vtape which is lying over. that particular slot |33' and'pulls" theV ends` of the' `labeloiffrom` thesuction ports |34 lying on opposite-'sidesof the' slot' 3| so that the ends of the tape stand up as shown in Fig. 2l.' As'the wheel Icontinuesto rotate,` thehext function offthemachine occurs when the tape holder and Wrapper I3 passes by the tape cutting wheel 234.

Atthis. timeY the wheel v234 sever'es the tape between aV pair ofthefsuction-ports |34which is located-'at justy 90' from the conductorv in the groove |28. It will beseen that in the particular eter there might be no intermediate label, and

if the ring |23'had a larger diameter there might be several such intermediate labels. Just after the suction head passes the cutter wheel |34 the front leveling wheel |68 will engage theiwrapping cam |l2"added to the outer edge of the cam I |2.

This will cause the front end of the lrocker. arm 63 to rock upwardly thereby lifting the crank arm |58 and rotatingthe normally stationary retaining ring |26'and hub ||5 in one direction so as to movethe conductor" into one/endrof the adjacent slot |30 as shown in Fig. 22. This movement wraps one of the ends of the .tape around the conductor. As soon as the leading leveling roller |68 passes over the wrapping cam |12, the trailing roller |61 engages it and turns orrocks the arm |63 in a reverse direction so as to lower the crank arm |58 and rotate the retaining ring y|26 with its slot |28 in a reverse direction thereby shifting the conductor to the `opposite end of the groove |30 as shown in Fig. 23./ This action completes the Wrapping of the label around the conductor. The projections IZB-|29 (Figs. 21, 22 and 23) which extend over the ends of the windows 30 act as wrapping fingers in the wrapping operation. The cushion or button |32 in the groove |30 prevents slippage of the label on the conductor prior to the wrapping action.

On continued rotation of the wheel It the leveling roller v|68 next reaches the upper leveling cam |10 which turns the rocker arm |63 to the level position andlifts the crank arm |58 from its lower position up to its intermediate position wherein the slot |28 in the retainer ring |26 is brought into registration with the center line of the adjacent elongated slot |30 in the ring |23 so that this registration and alignment will be obtained just prior to the time the labeled conductor leaves the periphery of the wheel and moves out of the groove |28 and the slot |30 and passes to the take-up reel. After the serving unit 92 passes the peak position in its circuit, the main cam follower roller reaches the drop-off portion of the cam which starts at 245 as indicated in Fig. 2. YAs the cam roller |05 passes over this drop-off, the springs |00 retract the slide 65 and the associated equipment carriedthereon inwardly toward the hub of the wheel |0. As a result of this retraction or inward movement, the tape holder and wrapper |3 and the tape feeding cylinder are both indexed forward one increment so as to withdraw another label length from the roll of the tape |13 and to bring the leading severedtape label into registration with the groove |28 so that it will be in position to be applied to the insulated conductor when the applicator unit 92 again reaches the bottom position wherein the insulated conductor again passes into the notch |28.

It will be understood that the cycle of operation of each of the tape serving and applicating units 92 is the same.

Obviously, there are a number of minor changes in design which may be made without departing from the principle of the invention. For example, if the machine is to handle a pressure sensitive adhesive tape instead of a water activated one, then the soaker cylinder 203 may be replaced with a wooden roller or some other roller `having a surface to which the pressure sensitive adhesive does not adhere toc firmly. If desired, `the lower leveling cam |1| may be omitted and the machine will function properly since the rocker arm |63 is leveled by the upper leveling `cam |10 and is normally retained in the leveled position by means of the spring |66 so that normally it does not move out of adjustment until the leading roller 66 carried thereby engages the j-wrapping cam |12. In this connection, it will be noted that the leveling rollers |61 and |68 are normally spaced away from the cam track ||2 `except when they engage the leveling cams |10 and` |1| and the wrapping cam |12.

If desired, the wrapping cam |12 could be trans- 1posed nearer to the bottom of the cam track |2 i Zontal plane.

so that-the wrapping operation is performed im :mediately after the leading label is applied to the insulated conductor as shown in Fig. 2l. If this change were made the leveling cam |16 could also be moved nearer to the bottom of the cam track or it could be left where it is. f

There are other obvious modications in design which can be made. For example, instead of having the new moon shaped vacuum or suction chamber |2| in the vacuum heads I3, it would be possible by the use of additional vacuum capacity to extend the vacuum chamber all the way around the hub l |1, in which case some vacuum would be lost through the suction holes |34 not'covered by the tape.

Another obvious modification would be to mount the large wheel i6 for rotation in a hori- The ring |23 of the tape holder and wrapper device need not have a cylindrical surface. For example, the surface may be six or eight-sided.

It will be seen from Figs. 21-23 that the. tape wrapping action is obtained by relative shifting of the ring member |23 and the article shifting member, i. e. the retaining ring |26 having the notch |26. Accordingly, instead of moving the shifting member, either the ring member |23 alone can be shifted or both the ring member and the shifting member may be actuated. However, there are practical advantages in the design wherein the ring member |23 is stationary and the shifting member |26 alone is moved during the Wrapping operation.

There may be instances when it is desired to use a machine so as to apply labels to an elongated article at intervals or distances exceeding the circumference of the large wheel l0. Several modications can be used in such instances, For exampley the cam track |2 may be replaced with one of spiral form so that two rotationsiof the 4wheel are required in order for the cam follower tc pass over the complete length of the cam track. Such cam track and cam follower combinations are known in the art and would result in a label being applied once every two rotations of the wheel I0.

Certain objects cannot be labeled in machine shown in the drawings because they carry added elements which prevent them from running through the machine or, because they are too short. For example, Underwriters labels cannot be applied to certain electric conductor cords until after the plugs are rst attached to the ends. The tape serving and applicating units 92 can be removed from the wheel I0 and adapted to operate 0n a fixed mount so that these conductor cords may be manually or automatically inserted into the slot opening covered by the furtherest advanced label, separate driving'means being attached to operate the serving and applicating device.

Since the above and other additional changes may be made in the foregoing construction without `departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention, it will be understood that the embodiment'of the invention described above and shown in the accompanying drawings is intended to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. t f

What is claimed as new is:

l. A machine for serving and applying-tape labels to an elongated object drawn through the machine, comprising, a wheel of relatively large diameter having at least one tape serving and applicating unit mounted thereon which operates on rotation of said wheel to deliver a severed tape `17 label to the periphery of said wheel upon each rotation thereof so that when an elongated object such as an insulated electrical conductor is pulled over the rim of said wheel While rotating it receives a series of severed tape labels at regularly repeated intervals.

2. A machine for serving and applying tape labels to an elongated object passed through the machine, comprising, a wheel of relatively large diameter, at least one tape serving and ap-plicating unit, support means for each of said units whereby it is reciprocable along a radius of said 'wheel between an outer position adjacent the rim of said wheel and an inner position, a cam track on the side of-said wheel, and a cam follower on each of said units whereby each unit is reciprocated between its outer and inner positions, each of said units operating to deliver a severed tape label to the periphery of said wheel where it is applied to an elongated object such as an insulated electrical conductor as it passes around the rim of the rotating Wheel.

3. A machine for serving and applying tape labels to coilable articles and operated by drawing the article through the machine, comprising, a wheel of relatively large diameter having at least one tape serving and applicating unit mounted thereon which operates on rotation of said wheel to deliver severed tape labels to the periphery of said -wheel so that when an elongated article is pulled over the rim of the wheel so as to rotate the same the severed labels are applied thereto and wrapped thereon, and a brake for said wheel having an operating mechanism actuated by the tension on the article being labeled after the labeled article leaves the machine, said brake being released so long as the coilable article is being pulled through the machine and said brake being applied when tension on the coilable article is released.

4. A rotatable tape holder and wrapper device adapted to receive one end of a length of tape and to hold the non-tacky side of the same thereon by suction while labels or portions of tape of predetermined length are successively severed therefrom and applied to a coilable article, comprising, a rotatable ring member having a tape supporting surface extending therearound which is interrupted by a plurality of regularly spaced article-receiving slot openings extending transversely thereacross and said ring member having a plurality of suction holes in said tape supporting surface through which suction may be applied to hold tape thereon, and at least one tape wrapping member cooperable with each of said slot openings in said ring member for Wrapping atleast one end of a tape label on an article lying in one of said slots with the tape label being held in the slot by the article.

5. A rotatable tape holder and wrapper device adapted to receive one end of a length of tape and to hold the non-tacky side of the same thereon by suction while labels or portions of tape of predetermined length are successively severed therefrom and applied to a coilable article, comprising, a rotatable ring member having a tape supporting surface extending therearound which is interrupted by a plurality of regularly spaced article-receiving slot openings extending transversely thereacross each of which opens into an elongated window opening extending through said ring member from side to side interiorly of said slot opening and having a substantially greater spread than the width of the slot opening leading thereinto, and said ring member having a plurality of suction holes in its tape supporting surface through which suction may ber applied to hold tape thereon, and a shifting member cooperable with each of said window ope-nings in said ring for shifting sidewise an article article lying therein.

6. In a rotatable tape holder and wrapper device adapted to receive one end of a length of tape and to hold the non-sticky side of the same thereon by suction while labels of predetermined length are severed therefrom and the labels applied to an elongated object such as an insulated electrical conductor, in combination, a supporting hub member and a ring member rotatable thereon, said hub having a suction chamber formed in the surface thereof in the form of a groove extending at least part way around said hub so as to be covered by said ring member with at least one suction passageway in said hub communicating with said suction chamber for applying suction thereto, said ring having a tape supporting surface extending therearound and made discontinuous by a plurality of equispaced slot openings extending transversely thereacross each of which opens into an elongated object-receiving window opening extending through said ring member from one side to the other interiorly of said slot opening and having a spread substantially greater than the Width of the slot opening leading thereinto, and said ring member having generally radial passageways communicating be'- tween its tape supporting surface and said suction chamber in said hub for transmitting suction to said surface so as to hold the tape thereon.

7. 1n a rotatable tape holder and wrapper device adapted to receive one end of a length of tape and -hold the same by suction while labels are successively severed from the end of the tape and applied to an elongated object such as an insulated electrical conductor, in combination, a supporting hub member and a mating ring member rotatable thereon, said hub having a coaxial opening extending there-in from which radiates at least one suction passageway leading into a suction chamber dened between said ring and said hub and extending bandwise at least part way around said hub, said ring having a tape supporting surface extending therearound rendered discontinuous by a plurality of regularly spaced transverse slot openings therein each of which opens into a .transverse elongated window opening extending through said ring member from one side to the other interiorly of said slot opening and has a spread substantially greater than the width of said associated slot opening, and said ring member having a plurality of radial passageways communicating between its tape supporting surface and said suction chamber for transmitting tape holding suction to said surface.

8. In a rotatable tape holder and wrapper device adapted to receive one end of a length of tape and hold the same by suction while labels are successively severed from the end of the tape and applied to an elongated object such as an insulated electrical conductor, in combination, a supporting hub member and a mating ring member rotatable thereon, said hub having a coaxial opening extending therein from which radiates at least one suction passageway leading into a suction chamber in the form of a groove in the surface of said hub extending approximately supporting surface extending therearound which is interrupted by a plurality of equispaced transi verse slot openings therein each of which opens into the middle of a transverse elongated window vopening extending through said ring from one side to the other interiorly of said slot opening and has a spread substantially greater than the width of said associated slot opening, and said ring member having a generally radial suction passageway located between each pair of adjacent ends of said windowopenings and communicating between said suction chamber and said tape holding surface.

9. The combination called for in claim 8 wherein the interrupted tape supporting surface of said i ring member is cylindrical.

10. The combination called for in claim 8 ring member is branched adjacent the outer end thereof so that each pair of branches terminates l half-way therearound, said ring having a tape wherein each of said suction passageways in said j on opposite sides of the half-way line between adjacent slot openings.

11. The combination called for in claim 8 wherein said suction chamber has a new moon configuration when viewed from the side thereof.

12. A rotatable tape holder and wrapper de- 1 vice adapted to receive one end of a, length of tape and hold the non-sticky side of the same thereon by suction while labels are successively cut from the end of the tape so held and applied to an elongated object such as an insulated electrical conductor, comprising, a supporting hub member, a mating ring member rotatable on said hub adapted to be operatively engaged by indexing means carried on said wheel each time said slide is retracted so as to thereby advance said ring member one label length, an object-shifting means associated with said hub member, said sub having a coaxial opening extending therein from which radiates at least one suction passageway leading into a suction chamber defined between said ring and said hub and extending bandi wise atleast part way around said hub, said ring having a tape supporting surface extending therearound rendered discontinuous by a plurality of regularly spaced transverse object-receiving slot openings therein each of which opens into a holding suction to said surface, said object-shift- 3 ing means being normally stationary and having an object-receiving notch therein with which each of said slot openings is successively aligned as shiftableV to opposite sides of its normally stationary position so as to shift an object being labeled first toward one end of the ajdacent window opening and then toward the other.

13. A rotatable tape holder and wrapper device adapted to receive one end of a length of tape p and hold the same by suction as labels are successively severed from the end thereof and applied to an elongated object such as an insulated electrical conductor, comprising: a hub member; a ring member rotatable on said hub member;

` said ring member is indexed around in one dii rection, and said object-shifting means being and a retaining flange fastened on said hub member for retaining said ring member thereon; said hub member having a coaxial opening therein whereby it may be rotatably supported on a supporting stem member, a suction chamber being formed in the surface of said hub member in the form of a groove extending approximately half-way therearound, at least one suction passageway communicating between said suction chamber and said coaxial opening in the hub member, and a ange on said hub member which prevents said ring member from sliding off one end of said hub; said ring member having a tape supporting surface which is interrupted by regularly spaced elongated object-receiving slot y openings extending transversely thereacross each of which opens into the middle of a window opening extending through said ring member from one side to the other interiorly of said slot opening and has a, spread substantially greater than the width of said associated slot opening, said ring member having a plurality of radial passagewayscommunicating between its tape supporting surface and said suction chamber for transmitting tape-holding suction to said surface; and said retaining flange being fastened to said hub member on the opposite end thereof from said hub ange so as to hold said ring vmember therebetween, said retainingiiange having an objectleceiving notch therein which is aligned with an object-receiving notch in said hub flange, said slot openings and window openings in said ring member being indexable with said aligned object-receiving notches, and said hub member being shiftable within said ring member so as to shift said aligned notches to opposite ends of a window opening which is indexed therewith.

14. A machine for serving and applying tape labels to coilable articles and operated by drawing the coilable article through the machine, comprising, a wheel of relatively large diameter having at least one tape serving and applicating unit mounted thereon which operates on rotation of said wheel to deliver severed tape labels to the periphery of said wheel so that when an elongated article is pulled over the rim of thel wheel so as to rotate the same the severed labels e are applied thereto; each of said tape serving and applicating units comprising a support member mounted on said wheel so as to be reciprocable between an outer position adjacent the rim of said wheel and an inner retracted position, a`

rotatable tape holder and wrapper device mounted on the outer end of said slide member comprising a rotatable ring member rotatable in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said large wheel and having a tape supporting surface extending therearound which isk interrupted by a plurality of regularly spaced article-receiving slot openings extending transversely thereacross each of which opens into an elongated window opening extendingv through said ring member from side to side interiorly of said slot opening and having a substantially greater spread than the width of the slot opening, and said ring member having a plurality of suction holes in its tape supporting surface to which suction may be applied to hold tape thereon from a common suction chamber in said tape holder and wrapper device, and an article shifting member` indexable and cooperable with each of said window openings in said ring member and with the rim of said wheel for shifting an article lying in one of said window openings sidewise between opposite ends thereof so as to wrap the projecting 21 ends of a tape label passing under an article lying in the slot, an indexing dog mounted on said wheel for successively engaging in said slot openings in said ring member each time said support member is retracted so as to index said ring member ahead one of said slot openings, a cam follower mounted on said support member for engaging with a stationary cam track mounted adjacent one side of said wheel so that the support member is reciprocated between its outer and its retracted positions once during each rotation of said wheel, a holder mounted on said support member for a roll of tape the unwound end of which is held on said rotatable tape holder and wrapper device, a rocker arm rockably mounted on said slide member and carrying cam follower means for engaging a wrapping cam mounted adjacent one side of said wheel, and a crank arm operatively interconnecting said rocker arm and said article shifting member; a, tape cutter mounted so as to engage and pass across the surface of said ring member once during each rotation of said wheel so as to sever a label from the end of a piece of f tape held thereon; said wheel having a suction chamber at the hub thereof and 9, suction conduit communicating between said wheel hub suction chamber and said common suction chamber in said tape holder and wrapper device for transmitting suction thereto.

15. In a machine for serving and applying tape labels to coilable articles at spaced intervals therealong and operated by pulling the coilable article through the machine, in combination: a wheel of relatively large diameter having a hollow hub structure to which suction may be applied from a stationary fitting and having at least one suction outlet fitting which rotates with said wheel; at least one tape serving and applicating unit mounted on said wheel comprising, a slide member mounted on said wheel so as to be slidable along a radius thereof, a rotatable tape holder and wrapper device mounted on the outer end of said slide member adapted to receive one end of a length of tape and to hold the non-sticky side of the same thereon by suction while label lengths are successively cut therefrom comprising a supporting hub member the axis of which is in the plane of said wheel, a mating ring member rotatable on said hub, an object-shifting means associated with said hub member, said hub having a coaxial opening extending therein from which radiates at least one suction passageway leading into a suction chamber defined between said ring and said hub and extending bandwise at least part way around said hub, said ring having a tape supporting surface extending therearound rendered discontinuous by a plurality of regularly spaced transverse object-receiving slot openings therein each of which opens into a transverse elongated window opening extending through said ring member from one side to the other interiorly of said slot opening and has a spread substantially greater than the width of said associated slot opening, said ring member having a plurality of radial passageways communicating `between its tape supporting surface and said suction chamber for transmitting tapeholding suction to `said surface, said objectshifting-means being normally stationary and having an object-receiving notch therein normally aligned with the rim of said wheel and with which each of said slot openings is successively aligned as said ring member is indexed around in one direction, and said object-shift- 22 ing means being shiftable to opposite sides of its normally stationary position so as to shift an object being labeled first toward one end of the adjacent window opening and then toward the other, indexing means mounted on said Wheel for operative engagement with said tape `holder and wrapper device each time said slide is re. tracted from its outer position so as to thereby advance said ring member by one of said slot openings and to index the advanced slot openingv with said notch in said object shifting means, a cam follower on said slide member for operative engagement with a cam track mounted ad-v jacent one side of said wheel so that said slide is reciprocated between its outer and its retractedpositions once during each rotation of said Wheel, spring means connected between said slide member and said wheel for holding said cam follower` onto said cam track, a holder mounted on said slide member for a, roll of tape, a tape feeder roll for withdrawing tape from said roll and feeding it to said tape holder and wrapper mounted on said slide member over which the sticky side of the tape is trained as it passes from said roll to said tape holder and Wrapper device, ratchet means on said tape feeder roll, a pawl mounted on said wheel for operative engagement with said ratchet means each time said slide is retracted so as to advance said tape feeder roll an amount corresponding to one label length, a

rocker arm mounted on said slide member carry-v ing cam follower means for operatively engaging a wrapping cam mounted adjacent one side of said` wheel, and a crank arm operatively interconnecting said rocker arm and said article shifting member; a tape cutter wheel mounted so as to be engaged by each of said ring members as said `wheel rotates thereby cutting a label length from the end of the tape held on said ring member; and a conduit mounted on said wheel interconnecting said suction outlet of said suction cham--I ber and said suction chamber in said rotatable tape holder and wrapper device.

416. A tape serving and applicating unit adapted to be mounted on a wheel over which a coilable article may be drawn so as to be labeled at regularly spaced intervals, comprising, a slide member adapted to be slidably mounted on a support wheel for reciprocable movement on a radius thereof, a rotatable tape holder and wrapper dev vice mounted on the outer end of said slide member adapted to receive one end of a length of tape and to hold the non-sticky side of the same member, said hub having a coaxial opening ex` tending therein from which radiates at least lone suction passageway leading into a suction chamber defined between said ring and said hub and extending bandwise at least part way around said hub, said ring having a tape supporting surface extending therearound rendered discontinuous' by a plurality of regularly spaced transverse object-receiving slot openings therein each of which opens into a transverse elongated window opening extending through said ring-member from one side to the otherinteriorly of said' slot opening and has a spread substantially greater than vthe width of said associated slot opening,

said ring member having a plurality of radial passageways communicating between its tape supporting surface and said suction chamber for transmitting tape-holding suction to said surface, said object-shifting means being normally stationary and having an object-receiving notch therein normally aligned with the rim of said wheel and with which each of said slot openings is successively aligned as said ring member is indexed around'in one direction, and said object- 3 shifting means being shiftable to opposite sides roll for withdrawing tape from said roll and feeding it to said tape holder and wrapper mounted on said slide member over which the sticky side of the tape is trained as it passes from said 1 roll to said tape holder and Wrapper device, ratchet means on said tape feeder adapted to cooperate with a pawl mounted on said wheel so as to advance said tape feeder roll one label length each time said slide member is retracted, a rocker arm mounted on said slide member carrying cam follower means for operatively engaging a wrapping cam mounted adjacent one l side of said wheel, and a crank arm operatively interconnecting said rocker arm and said article shifting member.

17 A machine for serving and applying tape l labels to an elongated object passed through the machine, comprising, a wheel of relatively large diameter, at least one tape serving and applicating unit, support means for each of said units whereby it is reciprocable along a radius of said wheel between an inner and outer position, a

` cam track on the side of said wheel, and a cam follower on each of said units whereby each unit is reciprocated between its outer position and its inner position once during each rotation of the large wheel, each of said units operating to deliver a severed tape label to the periphery of l said wheel upon each rotation thereof where it is applied to an elongated object such as an insulated electrical conductor as it passes around the rim of the rotating wheel.

18.` A tape label applying mechanism comprising a tape holder for suctionally holding the nonl sticky side of a tape label over an object-receiving slot opening therein which opens intoY a window opening therein the opposite ends of which underlie the opposite sides of said slot, an object-` receiver having a notch therein aligned with said 1 window opening, and means whereby said tape holder and said object-receiver are relatively shiftable so that said notch may be aligned with either of the opposite ends of said window opening or with said slot opening leading thereinto.

19. Apparatus for applying tape labels Vto elongated objects and wrapping the ends of the labels therearound comprising, a tape holder having a tape holding surface in which there are suction l holes to which suction may be applied to hold the non-sticky side of a tape label on said surface and having an object-receiving slot opening therein which leads inwardly into an objectreceiving window opening therein, the opposite ends of which underlie said surface on opposite sides of said slot opening, an object-receiver having a notch therein aligned with said window opening, and means forl shifting said tape holder and said object-receiver relative to eachother so that said notch is alignable with either of the opposite ends of said window opening or with said slot opening leading thereinto.

20. Apparatus for applying tape labels to elongated objects and wrapping the ends of the labels therearound comprising, a tape holder having a tape holding surface in which there are suction holes to which suction may be applied to hold the non-sticky side of a tape `label on said surface and having an object-receiving slot opening therein which leads inwardly into an objectreceiving window opening therein the opposite ends of which underlie said surface on opposite sides of said slot opening, an object-receiver and shifter having a notch therein, aligned with said window opening and normally aligned with said slot-opening leading thereinto, and means for shifting said object-receiver and shifter from said normal alignment so as alternately to bring said notch into alignment with opposite ends of said window opening.

21. In a method of applying tape labels from a supply roll onto an elongated article, the steps of severing a label from the end of the tape, aligning an intermediate portion of said label with said article with the sticky side of the label turned towards said article and withv the label being supported from the non-sticky side and releasably retained by vacuum onopposite sides of said article and unsupported at said intermediate aligned portion, bringing said label thus supported and said article together so that the unsupported intermediate portion of said label engages said article and pulls the opposite ends of said label away from their supports thereby overcoming said vacuum retention, and wrapf ping the unsupported label ends around said article.

22. In a method of applying tape labels from a supply roll onto an elongated article, the step of severing a label from the end of the tape, aligning an intermediate portion of said label with said article with the sticky side of the label turned towards said article and with the label being supported on opposite sides of said article and unsupported at said intermediate aligned portion, bringing said label thus supported and said article to gether so that the unsupported portion of said label engages said article and pulls the opposite ends of said label away from their supports, pressing the aligned intermediate portion of said label against said article so as to maintain said engagement, and alternately wrap- 4, ping the unsupported label ends around said article.

23. In a method of applying tape labels from a supply roll onto a continuous running elonf gated object, the steps of severing a label from the end of the tape, aligning an intermediate portion of said label with said article with the sticky side of the label turned towards said article and with the label being supported from the non-sticky side and releasably retained by vac-` uum on opposite sides of said article'and un-f supported at said intermediate aligned portion,-

bringing said label thus supported and said article together so that the unsupported interme-l Y diate portion of said label engages said article 

